Traveling by Jeep, boat and foot, Tribune-Review investigative reporter Carl Prine and photojournalist Justin Merriman covered nearly 2,000 miles over two months along the border with Mexico to report on coyotes — the human traffickers who bring illegal immigrants into the United States. Most are Americans working for money and/or drugs. This series reports how their operations have a major impact on life for residents and the environment along the border — and beyond.

By D.j. Vasil

Saturday, Oct. 26, 2013, 9:00 p.m.

Freeport girls volleyball standout Zoe Pawlak has started all but a couple of games since her freshman year.

A talented, versatile player, she can play virtually any position on the court. There is a high ceiling for how much better the sophomore can get — which may not bode well for opposing teams.

Stepping in as a freshman was different for Pawlak becaue she was playing with girls of different age groups. She credits playing with her club team, the Pittsburgh Renaissance, and head coach Brian Begor for helping her to prepare for the high school level and being ready to play right away.

Freeport has a history of churning out good teams and players, which means the pressure to play well from a young age looms.

Not for Pawlak, though.

No sophomore slump here.

“I don't really feel the pressure, if there is any,” said Pawlak, a 5-foot-9 outside hitter. “Any coach wants the best players out there. I try to do my best and deal with the pressure as it comes.”

Pawlak has played a key role for Freeport, which finished the regular season 14-1, 11-1 in Section 4-AA play. They reached the WPIAL playoffs as a No. 2 seed and earned a share of a section title (with Knoch). Freeport could potentially run into Knoch again in the playoffs in what would be the rubber match of their season series.

“We've been talking about not looking ahead to other teams, and that's what we did last year when we played Ambridge,” Pawlak said. “We were looking past them, so this year we need to focus on the team we are playing, and only that team, until we get past that point.”

Freeport coach Tom Phillips describes Pawlak as a great athlete and someone who can attack from any spot on the floor and play wherever the team needs her.

“She's very encouraging to her middles, and to her right side,” Phillips said. “She's a very good player. She's above and beyond her years. She's not big-headed. She's very much a team player, and if you talk to her the team goals are the most important thing.”

A three-sport athlete, Pawlak also competes as a thrower and jumper on the track team and is on the swimming team. Both sports help keep her in shape year-round before transitioning to volleyball in the summer.

Entering her junior year, she hopes to take on more of a leadership role.

“I want to be a part of the girls below me learning the sport and becoming better players,” she said.

Despite being a sophomore, she has received attention from some Division I schools, including Pitt and Florida.

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